Radford VA Farmer's Market Kickoff April 18th

Sooo, it's that time of year again: time for the Radford Farmer's Market! *dances*

I think I've got everything ready for tomorrow, though I'm sure I'll forget something, as I always do. Let's hope it's nothing important this time!

For a change, I'll be taking my chainmaille and gemstone pieces, as well as my cutesy goodness from my other shop, Kawaii Cupcake. This means that everything will be under the same tent...two COMPLETELY different themes in one place. Wonder if people will be super confused and think I'm odd?

However, this also means more pricepoints and more variety, which (hopefully) draw more attention to my booth. I'll have items priced from $4-$80, so there will be something for everyone there.

I made some business cards today...nothing fancy, just something to give people if anyone asks for contact information. I'm going to get some shiny new ones when I can, but these will do for now. My car's filled to the brim with stuff for tomorrow, including my 800 lb. tent. But, it's much easier to set up than the lightweight one that I had to put together. That was a major pain to say the least.

To all of you in the area, please come out to the market and say hello! There are lots of friendly vendors waiting to have a chat with you. I'll be the one with the chainmaille headband and the aqua zebra print shirt. I rock like that.

My Feature

A local magazine, the New River Valley Magazine, contacted me through Etsy, informing me that they wanted to do a piece on my jewelry.

I'm super excited! I've never been featured in something like this before, and I hope that there will be some nice exposure because of it.

My interview with the writer is Wednesday. She's going to give me a list of questions to look over beforehand so I'm not taken totally off guard during the interview. I'm glad I'll have a bit of time to think over my answers. I'd hate to sound silly or something. ;P

I'll be sure to mention Etsy and how awesome it is and all the great stuff you can find there, too.

In other news, I've spent this gloomy Saturday making a few pieces, none of which have been photographed due to said gloominess.

There's a show coming up at the end of the month. It's not a large one and I didn't sell much there last year, but the atmosphere is awesome and there are some really cool people there, so I'm going again anyway, despite the three hour drive each way.

I've also decided to spring for an E-Z up tent this year. I'm sick of having a great booth display and a sheezy little open tent that nearly blows away with the least little breeze. Part of my tax refund should assist nicely.

For the remainder of the day, I'll be working on more pieces. Wonder if I'll get anything done?

Today's Featured Artist: Giftbearer

Giftbearer creates imaginative, intricate and one-of-a-kind works of wearable art in such a wide array of mediums that it boggles the mind.

She blends excellent craftswomanship with undeniable aesthetic qualities, her designs never failing to amaze.

Lunachick: What made you decide to start creating?

Giftbearer: Since I was a child I've always loved making things and the idea of innovation is exciting to me. I enjoy doing what hasn't been done before and experimenting with materials. Jewelry is something I absolutely fell in love with once I started. If the right man came along he'd have to love it as much as I do, or I'm afraid he'd have to go, LOL. Jewelry is my life, and although I don't wear it often, I really feel as though each piece has a soul, and so I treat each as an entity with a life of its own.

Lunachick: When did you start?

Giftbearer: It came about first as a part-time thing after my son was born. He is now 23 years old and I'm still growing and expanding upon my skills in the field.

Lunachick: What has been the most difficult part of selling?

Giftbearer: I guess the most difficult part about selling are those times when you're absolutely knocking yourself out and still you're not selling. A few days of that is one thing, but a dry spell that stretches out for weeks or months can be hard on an artist, not only financially, but hard on morale. Keeping hope alive is vital during those periods in order to stay creative and continue to come up with things that are exciting.

Lunachick: Which piece are you most proud of?

Giftbearer: Really there are two:
Hint at Something Deeper

Fine Silver Early Budding Vine Bracelet With Chrysoprase Cabs


Lunachick: What is your favorite material to work with?

Giftbearer: I love Copper, Fine and Sterling Silver, and Gold. I also really love wood, gemstones such as Chrysoprase, Opal, Tourmaline, Spinel, Ocean Jasper, Larimar, Labradorite, Emerald, many types of Garnet other than the plain standard red, Variscite, Rainbow Moonstone, and natural fancy colored Diamond and Sapphire.

Lunachick: What's the most satisfying part of creating/selling your work?

Giftbearer: I love creating something new and innovative, and getting paid for it is the best compliment in the world. When I sell something I've made with my own two hands it is satisfying in a way no 9-5 traditional job could ever be. I enjoy things that I've bought more with the money I earn than if I were waiting for a payheck from someone else's company.

Lunachick: Any advice for others selling their work?

Giftbearer: Spread your work around and really look to see where it fits and will get the best response. Continue to monitor what the market is doing. I think it is possible to stay true to yourself and still be responsive to what your customers want.

Lunachick: What's a random fact about yourself?

Giftbearer: I have a lot of Iroquoise Indian in my lineage.

Lunachick: Anything else you'd like to say?

Giftbearer: I welcome custom orders, inquiries from brick and mortar stores, and I'm selling my work at the following places;
http://Giftbearer.etsy.com
http://www.smashingdarling.com/store/1882
http://www.mintd.com/stores/show/148-Giftbearer
and a brick and mortar store called VIX Emporium, located at 5009 Baltimore Ave, in West Philadelphia will soon be carrying my work; http://vixemporium.wordpress.com/

Welcome!

Hello, and welcome to the Lunachick Designs blog! Here you'll learn a bit about me and what I do.

My name is Abbi and I'm from a small town in Southwest VA. I've been designing and creating artisan jewelry for around three years. My favorite materials to use are genuine gemstones and sterling silver, though I've got many styles that incorporate other materials as well, such as 14k gold fill (which is gold over sterling silver), Swarovski crystals, organics such as shell and amber, Czech glass and other metals in my chainmaille pieces.

My specialties are wirework and chainmaille, which I enjoy most of all. I'm in the process of touching up some pictures in my shop on Etsy, as well as expanding to include a few new lines, including a Vintage line of antique brass and copper earrings.

More chainmaille is also on the horizon, so be on the lookout for all the new pieces that will be coming soon!

I'm looking for new marketing ideas to expand my clientele. I live in a very small area and have only a few opportunities to attend shows each year, so online selling is a great way for me to reach people I wouldn't normally be able to.

Please have a look at my shop and check out my jewelry! I've got many unique pieces that you won't see anywhere else. I've invested lots of time and money into my art and am looking forward to expanding and experimenting with more involved pieces in the future.

Custom orders are encouraged, so please contact me if you have something in mind!

*Abbi*

Lunachick Designs